Mashreq, a leading financial institution in the UAE, kicked off the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil action with the launch of the “Limited Edition FIFA World Cup Mashreq Visa Card”. Football fans will now be able to carry the only FIFA World CupTM Visa card in the UAE, with the official Trophy design, in their wallets.

Matching the exclusive style of the card with substance, Mashreq has created the complete 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ experience for fans with a formidable line-up of bespoke complimentary welcome gifts such as football jersey, an EA SPORTS™ FIFA 14 game DVD, exclusive FIFA Visa memorabilia and a host of other benefits.

Mashreq is the only bank in the UAE offering the Limited Edition FIFA World Cup card with unique features and a wide range of benefits provided by the bank across Credit and Debit Cards. The Limited Edition FIFA World CupTM Mashreq Visa Card comes powered by ‘Salaam Goals’ – a new reward program by Mashreq.

Nimish Dwivedi, Head of Payments at Mashreq, commented: “The FIFA World Cup is a historic event and creates unparalleled excitement amongst football fans, the world over. Mashreq has taken the lead to introduce a new card, inspired by the 2014 FIFA World CupTM theme, for football fans in the UAE. Going beyond just free trips to the FIFA World CupTM, which are obviously on offer, the Limited Edition FIFA World Cup Mashreq Visa Card, not only makes you a part of history with the exclusive FIFA World CupTM trophy design, but lets you live the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ experience right from the time you place it in your wallet.

With the excitement building up in the UAE, the FIFA World Cup will be played in 12 cities across Brazil from June 12 to July 13 2014. Fans can take the lead in the game by scoring ‘Salaam Goals’ from the very first swipe of the card and then continue to add to their tally of ‘Salaam Goals’, with every Dirham spent on the card. Fans will be able to redeem their accumulated ‘Salaam Goals’ for authentic 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Visa merchandise; travel packages to countries participating in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil; or simply for retail purchases at merchant outlets in the UAE.

And for the consummate fan, not only is there action in every corner of the field with year -long discounts at sports stores and football academies across the UAE; but also five packages (of an all-expense-paid trip for two) to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, courtesy of Visa.

Marcello Baricordi, General Manager UAE and Global Accounts Lead at Visa Inc. MENA, said: “The UAE is home to a large base of passionate football fans and the hype surrounding the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil is incredible. Therefore, we are very excited to announce Visa’s partnership with Mashreq to launch the Limited Edition 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Mashreq Visa card, which we know will be well received by football fans in the UAE. As one of just six partners of the FIFA World Cup Brazil, Visa is able to offer unique experiences exclusive to our cardholders that add the feel of excitement and anticipation to the list of Visa product benefits, which include the peace of mind of worldwide acceptance and the reliability and security of using a Visa card when travelling.”

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Hill & Knowlton is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with 79 offices in 44 countries, as well as an extensive associate network.

Hill & Knowlton is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with 79 offices in 44 countries, as well as an extensive associate network.